Editorial: Belvedere protest unusual, but sends important message

POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS are not commonplace in Belvedere. It's probably much more common for politicians to drop into town for fundraisers.

Local leaders of the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups decided that a high-priced Democratic Party fundraiser, featuring House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and hosted by Marin's Rep. Jared Huffman, was a good opportunity to bring public attention to their concern about the National Security Agency reviewing citizens' phone records to thwart terrorism.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit contending the NSA's sweep of phone records is a violation of the First and Fourth Amendments, which protect citizens' free speech and right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures.

Pelosi has defended the NSA's review of phone calls and the ACLU and others have tried to soften that endorsement.

On July 13, more than 70 protesters stood along Eucalyptus Road on Belvedere Island to welcome Pelosi to town. They carried signs that said, "Who is watching the watchers?" and "One nation under surveillance."

One protester, holding a hot-pink parasol, held a sign that declared, "Nancy Pelosi — Your absence from civics class is unexcused."

She would have been hard for Pelosi to miss on her way to the fundraiser.

They made their point.

It's an important one.

Congress should be aware that not everyone is thrilled to have personal and business phone records reviewed and held by the NSA.

The Obama administration has defended the sweeps as a critical tool in stopping the spread of terrorism.

The NSA's policies have also been endorsed by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which on Friday reauthorized the NSA's collection of telephone and online data. Meanwhile, a bipartisan push is underway in Congress to stop the NSA from reviewing telephone and online data of people who are not connected to ongoing investigations.

There also is talk of providing greater transparency of the surveillance court's process, including release of its opinions.

The drumbeat of the Belvedere protesters is echoed by demonstrators and critics across the nation.

They feel that the tactics used in stopping terrorism are out of balance with two freedoms that citizens hold dear, the freedom of speech and the right of privacy.

Pelosi, Huffman and other members of Congress need to make sure citizens are protected from an abuse of the power that NSA exercises.

That's likely not enough for protesters, who see the NSA's powers, expanded in the wake of 9-11, as undermining our constitutional rights.

But it would be a step in the right direction.

A proposal to broaden the appointment process for surveillance court judges is also worthy of consideration.

Keeping the public heat turned up high on this issue is important to get the point across to Washington.

The July 13 protest, although staged at an unusual location, reminded Pelosi and Huffman that people care about their constitutional rights.